Nkcfo LLC Makes New $2.79 Million Investment in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)

Nkcfo LLC bought a new position in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 82,900 shares of the airline's stock, valued at approximately $2,787,000. Southwest Airlines accounts for about 1.2% of Nkcfo LLC's holdings, making the stock its 16th largest holding.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 186.7% in the fourth quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 883 shares of the airline's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Southwest Airlines in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Southwest Airlines by 41.1% in the 3rd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 1,184 shares of the airline's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the period. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 35.3% during the 3rd quarter. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,923 shares of the airline's stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 502 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JFS Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 120.9% during the third quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,001 shares of the airline's stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 1,095 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.82% of the company's stock.

Southwest Airlines Trading Up 0.5 %

Southwest Airlines stock traded up $0.15 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $30.15. The stock had a trading volume of 7,730,063 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,359,637. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 52-week low of $23.58 and a 52-week high of $36.12. The company has a fifty day moving average of $32.30 and a 200 day moving average of $30.74. The firm has a market cap of $17.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The airline reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.45 by $0.11. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 5.77% and a net margin of 1.69%. On average, analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be issued a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. Southwest Airlines's payout ratio is presently 100.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on LUV shares. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Citigroup restated a "sell" rating and set a $29.50 price objective (down previously from $31.50) on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Southwest Airlines from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America restated an "underperform" rating and set a $31.00 price target (down previously from $33.00) on shares of Southwest Airlines in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $38.00 to $34.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $31.78.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Southwest Airlines news, insider Linda B. Rutherford sold 3,849 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.40, for a total value of $132,405.60. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 89,376 shares in the company, valued at $3,074,534.40. This represents a 4.13 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Southwest Airlines Profile

Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.